Cokefair, Dingman back in District 127 with two newcomers

Incumbent Douglas Nerge was voted off the Grayslake High School District 127 board in Tuesday's voting to fill four seats on the board. With all 38 precincts reporting, Jon Cokefair and Ann Dingman will be returning to the board joined by newcomers Ken Witkowski and Ed Brown. Dingman led all candidates with 1,196 votes or 22.5 percent, Witkowski was second with 1,754 votes or 19.8 percent, Cokefair had 1,752 votes or 19.8 percent and Brown had 1,704 votes or 19.2 percent. Nerge finished out of the running with 1,642 votes or 18.5 percent of the total ballots cast. Completing his first term on the board, Cokefair, 47, stressed increased community involvement in his run for his second term on the board. Dingman, 49, current president of the board, said she believed the community re-elected her because her work was seen as satisfactory. "I think it means that the community is happy with the opportunities we are providing for the children," she said Tuesday night. "I believe we have been fiscally responsible, and it appears the community agrees with us." She said she was looking forward to serving on the board in what she called a "challenging" world. "We just need to do our best to ride out this terrible economy without having to make any cuts," Dingman said. "We have a good board, a fine administration and staff, and I think we are up to the challenge." Nerge, who is board secretary, also said proper use of finances are key to moving the district forward in a positive direction. He was part of the board that saw improvements in courses offered and physical plant upgrades, such as revamped language labs and artificial turf installed on school playing fields. Witkowski and Brown both said they wanted to join the board in order to press for improved student achievement while holding the line on taxes. Both men work in the financial industry and said they were experienced in finding ways to do more with less.